ALICE – Workboat Wednesday
The above photo of the workboat – ALICE popped up on a Ray Morey fb post on the ’Tugs & Workboats of NZ’ site. At the time Ray commented that the photo showed ALICE on the Onehunga Harbour, and shows how she looked when she arrived at Tuakau. She was powered by a 3 cyl, 2 stroke Gardner semi diesel engine. Ray also commented that her previous owner was George Higham.
Can we learn more about this very smart looking craft
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I think Russell could be right about the workboat Alice being rebuilt as the steam launch Alice. I have seen the survey records for the Waterwitch / Waiwera which was a tug that operated out of Dargaville from 1930 to 1955. These two names are also noted on the Restorers’ Plate shown in a post on the steam launch Alice. Also, the survey records indicate that Waterwitch / Waiwera was 26.5′ long which corresponds with the length of Alice.
The survey record in 1930 stated that she was about 10 years old then, which dates the boat c1920, much more believable than 1897 which has been stated for the steam launch Alice.
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Russell, different launch altogether, and I was pulled up short by a Higham family member that Alice belonged to George’s uncle Peter Higham
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Best thing to do is to type “Alice” in the search panel on Waitemata Woodies. She was rebuilt in a different form and steamed on Lake Taupo for some years….
Over to you Capt Drake!
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